Stay For Me

Chapter 10

TWO MONTHS LATER

RANIELLE

Ranielle lay unmoving, as Blaze zipped his pants and left. She crawled, agonizingly slow, into the shower. Her body bled as it had since she had left Declan.

Declan. The name still brought waves of love from both her and Miley.

*Tell me again, Miley...tell me again.*

*Declan was a man of honor. I believe he was tricked into cheating, I don't think he did it of his own free will. Ranielle, we need to get back to him.*

*I know, Miley. I know. But we are never going to get out of this place.*

Ranielle shut off what little connection she still had with Miley. Every day, the Frostbitten pack drugged her water with a slightly higher dosage of wolfsbane. It slowly was cutting into Miley, removing her ability to heal, and nearly killing her.

She hadn't said a word in two months. It was easier now than it had been two months ago, but the sensation of Blaze and the unmated males of the pack inside her against her will made her feel less than what she was.

"I miss Declan...." Her mind wandered to the man who she loved, and who she thought loved her back. She closed her eyes, remembering the way his voice lilted when he said her name, the way his hands had tenderly caressed her bruised body.

She sighed. Pulling herself off the floor of the shower, she turned off the water and went to the mirror, not bothering to wrap herself in a towel.

Her body was more battered than it had ever been. Her eyes were sunken into her head, and she was so thin she was starting to be able to count her ribs. She ate little, due to the way the pack treated her.

She touched her reflection in the mirror. The mark had completely faded from her neck, and her eyes pricked when she grazed the spot with her fingers. She slammed her hand into the mirror, cracking it.

"Ranielle! If you are in here, show yourself, slave." Her head snapped up, and she scrambled into the tiny linen closet in the corner. That was Jackson's voice.

"Slut, if you don't get your weak little a** out here, so help me, I will come in and drag you out here by that hair." He growled angrily. Without giving her a chance, he stormed into the bathroom. He ripped the closet door off the hinges. His face was demon-like. "Oh good, you're already naked. Perfect." He grabbed her hair and dragged the sobbing girl out, tying her down to the bed. Unbuckling his belt, he roared "Prepare to pay, b****."

DECLAN

Declan looked up from the map that was in front of him. Almost every inch was covered in tacks, marking the places he'd looked.

Mattias came in, looking at him with concern in his eyes. "Declan, it's been months. We aren't going to find her..."

"NO! I refuse to believe that!" Declan cried almost instantly. His heart broke yet again. His Beta came in and placed his hand on Mattias's shoulder.

"Can I speak to him, alone, for a moment?" The Councilman nodded and left Matt alone with his son.

"What is it, Matt?" Declan was tired. He wanted nothing more than to smell the scent of his mate again.

"We think we found her."

"WHAT?!" Declan leaped out his chair like it was on fire. "Tell me everything, Matt! Please!" His eyes were wild and hopeful.

"We picked up a faint scent here," Matt noted, pointing out a small area on the map. "I think rogues have her, and that's why her scent is so faint."

"We leave at once, Matt. I will not let that scent fade another minute!" Matt nodded and rushed out the door. Declan, unable to wait another second, jumped out the window, shifting in midair. His paws hit the ground just as Matt and the men came around the corner.

*Let's go find mate, Declan.* Colton howled. Their midnight-black fur made them look even larger and more intimidating against the lighter-colored wolves of the men.

*Now.* The word resonated through the pack-link, and Declan led the way against the bitter wind.

RANIELLE

*Now!* The word was soft, but strong in Ranielle's mind. She recognized the voice. "Declan?" she whispered. Her body was still restrained, Jackson taking his time with her.

His head snapped up at the mention of Declan's name. "What's the matter, slut?" He sneered. "Don't worry. Your mate isn't coming for you. Anyone who ever loved you was wrong."

Ranielle, in that moment, stopped fighting. For some reason, deep in her heart, she knew it was true. Jackson smiled triumphantly, he knew he had won.

He threw a knife onto the bed. "Cut yourself loose." He stated before stalking out of the room.

Ranielle finally managed to get herself free a few hours later. Her wrists and ankles were bruised and chafed from rubbing against the ropes. She bathed again, still unable to wash away the dirty feeling she had.

Movement on her left caught her eye. Two guards entered her room, and instantly fell. Ranielle's eyes widened and she backed up qiuckly, knocking over the lamp in her hurry to get away from the door. Seven men came through the door. She ducked under the bed, they wouldn't be able to reach her there.

DECLAN

Declan looked around the small room. It reeked of sex, but there was another scent, faint and nearly gone.

"Blackberries...vanilla?" Declan stated aloud.

"Dec, if she was here, she's long gone. Her scent is nearly faded." Matt said, reluctance in his voice.

"Not until we search it. We've looked everywhere else. She has to be here." Declan immediately began tossing the room, his men following behind him. Matt knelt down and lifted the bedsheets. He threw it down instantly and yelled "Declan!"

"What?!" Declan asked impatiently.

"She's under the bed."

RANIELLE

Ranielle squeezed her eyes shut as tight as possible, her hands over her ears. Suddenly, the bed above her was gone. Her eyes snapped open, and before her eyes had adjusted to the bright light, she was in someone's arms.

The panic set in, and she struggled until the person let her go. Then she got a look at them.

Declan stood before her, wide-eyed, incredulous. "Rani?" His voice cracked, hopeful, awestruck.

She nodded, unsure of what to say. His eyes darkened as he looked her over again.

"Men, stop gawking at MY mate and get her clothing!" He snarled. Ranielle backed up so fast she tripped over her feet.

Declan instantly turned away, looking at her, his face softening. He knelt beside her, holding her.

"I'm so sorry, my love, I'm so sorry....